The Mission of the Nebraska State Council for the Social Studies
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Interested in Getting Published?
NSCSS is posting lesson plans, book reviews significant to social studies, and editorials from our members. If you are interested in seeing your work reflected on our website please send your contributions to nebraskasocialstudiescouncil@gmail.com ================ |
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*****Please monitor the Teacher Resources page for more award applications and student competitions. The Professional Development/Travel page has information about several opportunities. Deadlines range from January-March 2019. Don't miss out on an opportunity!*****
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*****Please monitor the Teacher Resources page for more award applications and student competitions. The Professional Development/Travel page has information about several opportunities. Deadlines range from January-March 2019. Don't miss out on an opportunity!*****
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In memory of our colleague, Al Bock.
Al Bock was the recipient of the NSCSS 2018 Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award for the First Congressional District.
The NSCSS Board offers condolences to the family, friends, students, and colleagues of Al Bock.
The following article appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star.
Longtime North Star teacher dies months after neurological disorder forced him to retire
MARGARET REIST Lincoln Journal Star Jan 23, 2019
The First Gator — the history lover and teacher, the family man and longtime voice over the loudspeaker at North Star High School athletic events — is gone.
Al Bock, a longtime North Star teacher forced to retire after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, died Tuesday. He was 58.
“They always called him the First Gator,” said his wife, Kim Bock. “He just loved the place. That was his home. He believed in the kids, he believed in the administration, he believed in the faculty there. He believed in what the school stood for and he did what he could to make it a better place for the kids.”
Bock retired last fall after being diagnosed with multiple system atrophy, a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease but more widespread and with symptoms that can progress more rapidly.
Bock’s symptoms progressed especially rapidly: His specialists said this was the most aggressive case they’d ever seen, according to his wife.
“Most people have five to eight years,” she said. “We had nine months.”
Bock had suffered a concussion when he fell during spring break of the 2017-18 school year, and doctors also diagnosed him with what they initially thought was Parkinson’s. He spent the summer working at Madonna TherapyPlus, an outpatient program, to regain his balance and strength.
He was ready to get back to the classroom in the fall, even though he’d learned by then he had MSA, not Parkinson’s, but after about a month it became too much.
His staff and students sent him off with a grand farewell — boxes of the Pop Tarts he loved, Denver Broncos memorabilia, a cake and hugs and a standing ovation at an assembly.
Wednesday, the Lincoln Public Schools crisis team was on hand to help students and staff.
“He loved everything North Star," Principal Ryan Zabawa said in a message to families. “He will be missed.”
He’ll be missed at Madonna, too, said occupational therapist Gina Mailander and physical therapist Amber Herrington.
“We’ll remember Al for his quick wit, positivity and determination to return to his love of teaching,” Mailander said.
His wife said he didn't just love teaching kids history, he loved teaching them how to learn.
“He thought it was so important for kids to learn history,” she said, and he believed that "if we learn from (history), hopefully we can be a better society.”
His passion for history was clear to Kim from the beginning. They’d met at a softball game in his native Colorado and married three months and three days later.
“Everything just clicked and it was wonderful,” she said. “I guess I just knew. I think it was our third date he asked me to marry him. It was at a hamburger joint. It was called Around The Corner."
They’d been married a week when he told her he wanted to supplement his English degree with a teaching certificate so he could teach history.
They moved to Nebraska — where Kim had grown up — after he earned his teaching degree and he landed a job at Pound Middle School. He stayed there until 2003, when North Star opened. He headed the social studies department there for most of his tenure.
The Bocks had three children, Callie, Emily — who just started teaching — and Dan. Their granddaughter, who loved to watch football with her grandpa, is nearly 2.
Three weeks ago, he went on hospice care, and the whole family spent the last week with him.
“It was just amazing this last week,” Kim said. “He was so happy that the kids were all there.”
There will be a celebration of life at North Star at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Good Shepard Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane.
Family would like memorials to go to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, to a memorial fund in Bock's name to support North Star students with scholarships or paying for advanced-placement tests that allow students to earn college credits.
It seemed the most fitting way to honor the teacher they loved, said his wife.
“He loved his students,” she said. "I never heard him talk about a 'bad kid.'"
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.
https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/longtime-north-star-teacher-dies-months-after-neurological- disorder-forced/article_41a952ef-f594-5545-b72f-d54cfa9e50c5.html
MARGARET REIST Lincoln Journal Star Jan 23, 2019
The First Gator — the history lover and teacher, the family man and longtime voice over the loudspeaker at North Star High School athletic events — is gone.
Al Bock, a longtime North Star teacher forced to retire after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, died Tuesday. He was 58.
“They always called him the First Gator,” said his wife, Kim Bock. “He just loved the place. That was his home. He believed in the kids, he believed in the administration, he believed in the faculty there. He believed in what the school stood for and he did what he could to make it a better place for the kids.”
Bock retired last fall after being diagnosed with multiple system atrophy, a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease but more widespread and with symptoms that can progress more rapidly.
Bock’s symptoms progressed especially rapidly: His specialists said this was the most aggressive case they’d ever seen, according to his wife.
“Most people have five to eight years,” she said. “We had nine months.”
Bock had suffered a concussion when he fell during spring break of the 2017-18 school year, and doctors also diagnosed him with what they initially thought was Parkinson’s. He spent the summer working at Madonna TherapyPlus, an outpatient program, to regain his balance and strength.
He was ready to get back to the classroom in the fall, even though he’d learned by then he had MSA, not Parkinson’s, but after about a month it became too much.
His staff and students sent him off with a grand farewell — boxes of the Pop Tarts he loved, Denver Broncos memorabilia, a cake and hugs and a standing ovation at an assembly.
Wednesday, the Lincoln Public Schools crisis team was on hand to help students and staff.
“He loved everything North Star," Principal Ryan Zabawa said in a message to families. “He will be missed.”
He’ll be missed at Madonna, too, said occupational therapist Gina Mailander and physical therapist Amber Herrington.
“We’ll remember Al for his quick wit, positivity and determination to return to his love of teaching,” Mailander said.
His wife said he didn't just love teaching kids history, he loved teaching them how to learn.
“He thought it was so important for kids to learn history,” she said, and he believed that "if we learn from (history), hopefully we can be a better society.”
His passion for history was clear to Kim from the beginning. They’d met at a softball game in his native Colorado and married three months and three days later.
“Everything just clicked and it was wonderful,” she said. “I guess I just knew. I think it was our third date he asked me to marry him. It was at a hamburger joint. It was called Around The Corner."
They’d been married a week when he told her he wanted to supplement his English degree with a teaching certificate so he could teach history.
They moved to Nebraska — where Kim had grown up — after he earned his teaching degree and he landed a job at Pound Middle School. He stayed there until 2003, when North Star opened. He headed the social studies department there for most of his tenure.
The Bocks had three children, Callie, Emily — who just started teaching — and Dan. Their granddaughter, who loved to watch football with her grandpa, is nearly 2.
Three weeks ago, he went on hospice care, and the whole family spent the last week with him.
“It was just amazing this last week,” Kim said. “He was so happy that the kids were all there.”
There will be a celebration of life at North Star at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Good Shepard Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane.
Family would like memorials to go to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, to a memorial fund in Bock's name to support North Star students with scholarships or paying for advanced-placement tests that allow students to earn college credits.
It seemed the most fitting way to honor the teacher they loved, said his wife.
“He loved his students,” she said. "I never heard him talk about a 'bad kid.'"
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.
https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/longtime-north-star-teacher-dies-months-after-neurological- disorder-forced/article_41a952ef-f594-5545-b72f-d54cfa9e50c5.html
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Planning for the 2019 NSCSS Annual Conference is in progress!
Please go to the Annual Conference tab above if you'd like to submit a proposal for a presentation, reserve an exhibitor table, or register to attend.
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Planning for the 2019 NSCSS Annual Conference is in progress!
Please go to the Annual Conference tab above if you'd like to submit a proposal for a presentation, reserve an exhibitor table, or register to attend.
***********************************************************************
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Teachers - Help grow our profession by sharing this opportunity with high school seniors who aspire to teach!
Have a passion for teaching and a strong academic record? UNO is looking for the Fall 2019 cohort of the Teacher Scholars Academy, and we encourage you to apply.
The Teacher Scholars Academy is a select group of high-achieving teacher candidates who embody leadership qualities and commitment to their communities. High school seniors are invited to apply to be a Teacher Scholar. A Teacher Scholar candidate must be an incoming freshman enrolled in a teacher preparation program for the 2019-2020 year, have demonstrated academic excellence, and show community commitment through volunteer service and extracurricular activities.
Every Teacher Scholar receives 30 credits of in-state tuition, partial room, board, books, and fees awarded each year for a total of four years. For the Fall 2019-2020 cohort, the support for each Teacher Scholar is $14,750, thanks to generous donors.
UNO’s College of Education is excited to be part of the Teacher Scholars Academy. Our Teacher Education Program specializes in preparing aspiring teachers to serve an increasingly diverse student population through supportive, hands-on practicum experiences. Our program is known for pushing beyond traditional teacher preparation curriculum.
What makes UNO’s Teacher Education Program unique?
Learn more at coe.unomaha.edu/scholars.
Have questions? Contact Teacher Education Program Chair, Dr. Sarah Edwards, at 402.554.3512 or skedwards@unomaha.edu.
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Have a passion for teaching and a strong academic record? UNO is looking for the Fall 2019 cohort of the Teacher Scholars Academy, and we encourage you to apply.
The Teacher Scholars Academy is a select group of high-achieving teacher candidates who embody leadership qualities and commitment to their communities. High school seniors are invited to apply to be a Teacher Scholar. A Teacher Scholar candidate must be an incoming freshman enrolled in a teacher preparation program for the 2019-2020 year, have demonstrated academic excellence, and show community commitment through volunteer service and extracurricular activities.
Every Teacher Scholar receives 30 credits of in-state tuition, partial room, board, books, and fees awarded each year for a total of four years. For the Fall 2019-2020 cohort, the support for each Teacher Scholar is $14,750, thanks to generous donors.
UNO’s College of Education is excited to be part of the Teacher Scholars Academy. Our Teacher Education Program specializes in preparing aspiring teachers to serve an increasingly diverse student population through supportive, hands-on practicum experiences. Our program is known for pushing beyond traditional teacher preparation curriculum.
What makes UNO’s Teacher Education Program unique?
- Supports teacher development through a 5-semester practicum experience featuring structured time in Omaha-area classrooms to practice teaching skills.
- Promotes a nurturing environment through a coaching-style support system.
- Encourages leadership development through a variety of student organization options.
- Provides opportunities to conduct research under the guidance of award-winning faculty.
- Offers global study experiences integrated into coursework.
- Includes designated courses for Teacher Scholars to encourage professional growth.
- Features unique community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities through coursework, student organizations, and service learning projects.
Learn more at coe.unomaha.edu/scholars.
Have questions? Contact Teacher Education Program Chair, Dr. Sarah Edwards, at 402.554.3512 or skedwards@unomaha.edu.
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Who represents you on the Nebraska State Board of Education?
Contact your Board member with comments and concerns.
Contact your Board member with comments and concerns.
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Nebraska Revised Statute 79.760.01 requires the Nebraska State Board of Education to adopt content area standards for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies every seven years. Pursuant to 79.760.01, and under the leadership of the Nebraska Department of Education, the process to revise the Nebraska Social Studies Standards will begin this fall. The current social studies standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2012 and are located here: 2012 Nebraska Social Studies Standards.
Nebraska Revised Statute 79.760.01 requires the Nebraska State Board of Education to adopt content area standards for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies every seven years. Pursuant to 79.760.01, and under the leadership of the Nebraska Department of Education, the process to revise the Nebraska Social Studies Standards will begin this fall. The current social studies standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2012 and are located here: 2012 Nebraska Social Studies Standards.
A webpage has been established as part of the process to revise Nebraska’s Social Studies Standards. The webpage includes information regarding the process (updates to State Board, writing team, etc.), and it will include working drafts of the revised standards as they become available. The webpage is located at:
https://www.education.ne.gov/socialstudies/social-studies-standards-revision/
Please monitor the page from time-to-time for information regarding this process and contact Harris Payne (harris.payne@nebraska.gov) with input.
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Congratulations to our colleague and supporter, Jennifer Davidson!
*****Go to the Annual Conference (Awards) page and the Archives to see some of Nebraska's other outstanding social studies educators!*****
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